penntiger

Birthday celebrations got underway at the Sydney revolving tower restaurant with gave us 360 degree panoramic views across the city. I can’t believe its the big 30 next year for me.

The views included the 2000 Olympic stadium where Boycie finished his illustrious career.

The bridge walk was completed by my father and Dave ‘dustbin’ Looms and that was after 3 ice creams that morning - see attached photos…. Before departing Sydney we had a Didgeri doo beginners lesson with a pro aboriginee.. Ive made more noise without a didgeridoo without as much effort!

Still lots of flights and travelling left and was unsure where we were going when arriving at Sydney int airport..went through airport turnstyles sidewards so i guess i was not surprised to BANG KOK.!!

With the free public transport, the athletes village, autographs, photos and the interest from everyone who spots you with the accreditation made Melbourne and me feel…. hermmmm great to be honest!!.

I have to say just one last time that I have been fortunate to have travelled quite a lot over the years either by international comps or hols and Melbourne is the best place I have been.

… Managed to sneak in a 50mins treadmill session this morning but hope to hit the roads early tomorrow am for something a bit faster and further.

Dave Looms arrives later and we shall get organised with trips with only four days here.

I have been really busy this last few days but had some luck, eaten terribly, witnessed new records, bumbed into Rodney the rocket Hollier’s relatives. . . .

My father and I enjoyed the English boxers perform well in the semi finals on Thursday while the ladies lay on St Kilda beach drinking bottles of wine. . before we met later.

Today was action packed. First thing this morning I bumbed into Rocket’s relatives - see photo. I then rushed to the docks to watch the 50km walk in very hot conditions. Mr Deakes walking 3hrs 42min!!Well done to Steve Partington - a fine performance in those conditions. .We then (parents, Lesley, Cheryl and myself) cooled off in the casino and risked $20 whilst we were in there. . . . . and won $500!!

Those of you who know me will not be suprised I’m sure!! So we checked out Melbourne with our winnings by hiring an helicopter (and pilot!) for a 20mins - fantastic!!We then enjoyed an all you can eat buffet meal in the Crown Hotel where I witnessed A NEW WORLD RECORD.

Holders were my good friends Chris “Boycie” Maddocks and Mark “G” Williams I thought to be the oustanding pudding champions of the world-not so!!Cheryl then mum (Joyce “pudding Penn”) and Lesley devouring so many puddings between them it was hard to believe. WELL DONE.

Mind you if Dustbin Dave Looms was still in Melbourne I’m sure he would have had a good go! Dave - see you in Sydney. After four days recovering and a chat with Boycie I’m back on the road tomorrow. After all It’s only March and I have the rest of the season to get some good performances in before its too late!

Photos. . pudding champions, rocket’s relativies and helicopter trip over Melbourne - plus Steve Partington in the 50km.

Dom’s jetted off to Sydney with his girlfriend and Dan cruising the ocean road in a sports car. We shall be meeting up Friday am to shout on Mr Partington in the 50km walk.

…Steve was at the athletics last night and I jumped on the same coach back. We agreed that we have had a great journey competing all over the world, our first international being in Spain 1984!!

…Have been in a rush,hopefully get the blog up to speed again and I hope to have some interesting news and hopefully photos about Dom in a couple of days….

The twins and Jo (20k women) walked well and should be pleased and would have gained valuble ‘games” experience.

Come four years after morning and evening training around work they will be at the age and experience to challenge for medals like the winners yesterday.

…Not just from the british but all nations inc the Australians who had the brain power to see how hard a 20k walk at around 13kmph is.

…well done to Niobe, we can properly support team England now and enjoy the rest of the games.

Two sausage rolls, pie, fish, chips, fried bread and double chocolate pudding to finish my first meal today… I wish. No junk food, puddings or anything fried for a couple of months now but not only have I lost near a stone but I feel better. I guess that may be also due to the fact I am alot fitter but also resting and relaxing helps… I feel im ready for retirement , not athletics - WORK….no comments from My Fedex colleagues, my manager is checking the web!!!!

This time last year I was off the road and had been since Mid December with a serious shin injury! And here I am on the eve of the 20kms Melbourne Games walk Final feeling fairly good. I have took some risks and gambles this last year with injury problems but got away with them.I am proud and happy at the level of preperation I have managed particulary this last couple of months.

Thanks to sponsors…FedEx who agreed extra leave on top of fina! ncial help, Pert Air conditioning, NB Leasure trust talented athletes program, and Nuneaton clothing shop Mission.

Also ”Bullit Butlin”, “Tornado Turnbul”, “wizzer” from Fedex who on nasty freezing cold, dark Sunday winter mornings cycle with drinks, gels and toilet roll….sorry Mr Farmer.  Training partners Mark “G” Williams,   Rodney the Rocket Hollier and “Baker Boy’, cheers guys.

Coach Chris “mad max” Madocks…thanks Boycie boy…will call you later.
My supporters will be screaming tomorrow along with thousands of others…tune in 12 mid-day Melbourne Time, 1am Monday morning for you pommies!!

It goes without saying I shall give everything I have, digging deep and fighting well along with team-mates Dan and Dom!! Hopefully we can perform to our expectations and soak the atmosphere along the Melbourne prominade.

Thanks to all the good luck messages I have received from everyone!

photos… Lesley, Mum, Dad, Cheryl and Dave Ruby anniversay meal and I thought coach Chris had turned up to lecture me again..

LETS GET READY TO RUUMMMBBLE.

Andy Boy, PennTiger, Ginger Destroyer!

No Training, no injuries, just passing time around the athletes village!!

This place so much reminds me of Barcelona ‘92. A long time ago, I was young, very fast, cheeky and a confident cocky lad…. I guess I havn’t changed much ! I have changed though, I can read and write now, not very good at spelling I admit but I reckon you’re understanding the blog! I’m even better at relaxing and resting which is not an easy ask when after weeks, months, years of training you’re faced with the second biggest race of my career. NO PROBLEM FOR PENN is one of many often used quotes…. all I hear every night now is.. “NO PROBLEM FOR DAM AND DOM”!
Having only competed a handful of times since the Manchester Games I have rarely seen or spoken to the Boys ! They are good lads and we have got on great despite the age gap although there have been numerous shouts of - “grow up”, “immature b#s*#d”, “crazy boy”… but I cant help it, I’m 39 going on 21! Experiencing a Games though is special and I know that we will be mates fullstop. Well cant wait to see my “ace supporters”, my parents, Lesley and her sister Cheryl and “physio Dave Looms”. Would have been great if my sister and niece Sam and Naomi could have made it but I know the flags flying in Nuneaton - HELLO !

We meet for evening meal later at 7.30 armed with camera I hope to have some tasty photos for the web tomorrow! dave And today’s photo is an advertising favour for one of the endurance coaches who look after us…David Sutherland sighning his recently published book..”HIGH PERFORMANCE MIDDLE DISTANCE RUNNING” Purchase at crowoodpress.com or amazon.co.uk.

Dave, given that im having thousands click on penntiger everyday - you owe me a beer…after the race of course. Whatever happens Monday I have found some great form again and a return to the Olympics Arena 16yrs on well within my capabilities… sponsorship would be greatly appreciated - more info with regards to this in a few days.

Going for a power nap now, PennTiger

It took all day to convince myself that its the beginnings of nerves and not that my legs feel weak through illness or something. . . I had just finished reading Matthew Pinsent’s autobiograghy. It helped, the Four  time Olympic gold medalist suffered pre competition battles with himself throughout his career.  Of course lots of extra pressure for Mr Pinsent but its personal. So the book was calmly put down, kit on, some stretching and finally at 7pm I was on the road and feeling quite good after 10mins. I decided to walk any which way for around 45mins at a good pace but nothing crazy. I put the brakes on just outside the main security checkpoint-an hour done.

Within an hour I was in the restaurant careful to eat sensibly and then made some calls to a few friends and then “Coach Chris” , I figure having competed in 5 Olympics he will understand the thoughts I am having and will have over the next days!! What a waste of time and! money that was. . . . . . only joking, Chris (Boycie) as usual reminding me of everything positive.

And when I seen these two donkeys were down to compete in the 20km walk. . . . bring it on !!
A quick congrats to fellow Nuneaton Harrier Lee Carey who won the UK Intercounties Champs and now selected for GB for World Cross Country Champs in Japan-fantastic!!

Resting today with slight sore shin but will not be a problem, steady one tomorrow of 20mins.
photo. . . and the queen pops in to wish me luck and mentions,  ”im enjoying the website. . . . ”
Byeee Andy

What about that then……..

Must of looked great on T.V.  We had a great time, wonderful atmosphere and experience!!

Team England gathered at 5pm in the village before being loaded onto the first of a huge convoy of coaches. We eventually were seated in the venue for the gymnastics for well over 2 hours before the slow walk to the stadium…. A further 15 minutes in the tunnel before…”
GO, GO, GO TEAM ENGLAND”.

What an incredible stadium, the first few steps.. the noise, flashing of cameras, the occasion… emotions all over the place. Similar to Barcelona ‘92 and The Manchester Games it proved to be a very special time that will be firmly stored in my memory.

It was midnight before we arrived back at the village, most heading for the canteen for a chat and a quick bite to eat. The King brothers had only 15mins to get ready for the opening because they had spent the best part of the afternoon with the BBC!

Look out for my 20km! team mates-they plan to broadcast them numerous times!! Hopefully this will help towards some good coverage of one the toughest events in the Games.

The training still goes on and I have PENNed in a 10-12kms later with a few kilometers quickish. I have to be careful with diet this last days before competition. It’s important to get the carbs in but when your tapering down your not burning the same amount of calories. I have lost near a stone in the last 4 weeks and feel obviously lighter and faster, I don’t want to go up to a massive 10stone again!!

Photos. waiting in the tunnel, The 20k Boys, Myself and …I dont know which one, and Penn gets his own stamps ready for your postcards!!!

A total of 1 hour of good walking,the middle 5kms being quick-very quick…For those who are enjoying the blog but purhaps wondering how fast we “move’ we can comfortably complete 8miles in 1 hour ! The worlds best 20km walkers average over15km/ph for the 20k race!.

It wont be long now before the opening ceromony-hopefully I will be able to get some great photos for the web…

The journey has begun for my parents who departed yesterday,stopping in Singapore for 2 days before arriving on the 18th. Girlfriend Lesley and her sister Cheryl already have touched down in Oz-diving the Barrier Rief at the moment before they depart and land in Melbourne on the 18th. Also making the trip physio Dave who also will arrive on the 18th..Really am looking forw! ard to meeting up with you all…table booked - you know where….this to be a celebratory meal for my parents Ruby wedding anniversery ! 40 years !

The twins are with BBC who have been interested in them being TWINS….If they had roomed with them for a couple of weeks they wouldnt be so interested!!! Seriously the boys are enjoying every minute and lapping up the interest from media. Also it  can only be good for walking along with Australian Olympic and Commonwealth Medalist Jane Saville carrying the flag for the Oz Team tonight !

Watch the Games, check the web and when its all over,”get your pumps on” Andy Penn

…photo with Commonwealth and Olympic relay gold medalist Jason Gardener.